Conventions of short films
For a film to be considered a 'short film' it must be no longer than 40 minutes. Because of this limited time space, the film must keep its plot concise and easy to follow. Generally, the cast is small, keeping to a small group of characters and avoids complicated backstories. They're usually low budget and because of this, they often take place in everyday, ordinary environments such as in the home or a forest, making them relatable.
Short films typically use expressive and artistic camerawork, using unconventional angles and pans that wouldn't be used in big Hollywood movies. Sound is a very important aspect of short horror films. Sound can help narrate the story and build tension and fear in its audience. Sounds like heartbeats and creaking floorboards are very effective.
Some short films are later tuned into longer feature films, such as Mama and Lights Out, which started as short films. Todorov's Narrative Theory states that all films follow a similar plot. At first there is equilibrium, where everything is balanced. Soon there will be disruption and a problem will arise. Next, the characters will become aware of the disruption to the balance. They will then try to restore the balance and resolve the problem and by the end there will be equilibrium. In the Lights Out short, we are shown balance when we are introduced to the character, a woman in her pyjamas in her home. The disruption occurs when she turns off the light and a shadowy figure is visible and she realises that it is only visible when the lights are off. She attempts to resolve the issue by keeping the lights on and hiding under the covers. There is no restoration of equilibrium in this short however, as the figure is revealed at the end and viewers are left on a cliff-hanger.
